Invaders are burning, logging and illegally cultivating areas of the Chaparrí ecological reserve in Peru. After the murder of their mayor, locals are forming vigilante groups to protect the biodiverse forest they live in.

“During all the years I’ve lived here, the situation has never been this threatening. The murder of the lieutenant governor in this hamlet made us organise in order to protect ourselves.”

“Instead of being defended, the national park management unit closest to the centre of provincial government in Palangkaraya – which, in theory, should be able to protect its integrity – is in reality allowing encroachment, leading to the destruction of tropical peat swamp forest.”

JPIK Campaigner Dhio Teguh Ferdyan

In Africa, as Kenya has effectively clamped down on elephant poaching while other countries have had their elephant population decline, ivory crooks are moving to South Africa, reports Business Day.